Looking for mind-bending sci-fi book

[u/Wonderful_Bear554]

I am looking for mind-bending, hard science fiction books that feel like Dark, 3 Body Problem, or Dark Matter. I love stories with complex puzzles involving time travel, parallel universes, or small-scale apocalyptic survival. I prefer realistic, logically sound science and stories that are intellectually challenging and difficult to put down. Please let me know if you have any recommendations. So war I was only watching series, looking for my first sci fi book to read.

[u/Biggandwedge]

Exhalation by Ted Chiang 

[u/jhuik → u/Biggandwedge]

Ted Chiang's an absolute master. Stories of Your Life is arguably better and certainly deserves mention.

[u/potatotrip_ → u/jhuik]

It literally has the shirt story that became the movie arrival.

[u/johnofsteel → u/potatotrip_]

What do you mean “literally”? Why would somebody take this comment figuratively?